Door power interruption safety switch of washing machine and method of operation thereof

Abstract

Door lock switch of washing apparatus, and method for controlling the same, the door lock switch for locking or unlocking a door, and cutting off a current applied to electric driving units under operation when the door is opened forcibly, thereby controlling electric driving units under operation effectively for improving operation efficiency and safety of the washing apparatus when the door is opened forcibly.

1. A method of responding to a forced removal of a latch from a casing during an operating cycle of a washing apparatus having a body forming an exterior thereof, electric driving units provided to the body, an opening in a front surface of the body, a door for opening/closing the opening, a door lock comprising the casing connected to the body, the latch removably and securedly received within the casing, the latch connected to the door, and a switch to interrupt power flow to the electric drive units if the door lock is unlocked during the operating cycle of the washing apparatus, the switch within the casing, the method comprising:
 applying current to a heater to heat a bimetal component at a start of the operating cycle; 
 closing, by thermal deformation of the bimetal component resulting from heat generated by the heater, the switch to permit power flow to the electric drive units; 
 moving, by thermal deformation of the bimetal component resulting from heat generated by the heater, a locking pin coupled to the bimetal component from an unlocked position to a locked position, wherein: 
 when the latch is forcibly removed from the casing during the operating cycle, a safety lever, coupled to the latch when the latch is secured in the casing, moves the locking pin from the locked position to the unlocked position and, by movement of the locking pin to the unlocked position, moves the bimetal component to open the switch to interrupt power flow to the electric drive units regardless of whether current continues to be applied to the heater. 
 
   
   
     2. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the electric driving units are devices which use electricity as power sources including at least one of a motor for rotating a drum and a water supply valve for supplying water to a tub. 
   
   
     3. The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising
 moving, by operating a solenoid, the bimetal component so as to make the locking pin move to the locked position by thermal deformation of the bimetal component and operation of the solenoid. 
 
   
   
     4. The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the solenoid acts toward a direction of the thermal deformation of the bimetal component as a current is applied to the solenoid.